dmitrypek@gmail.com
May 18, 2021, 10:47 PM 
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Dear Open Heart Sangha friends,

This is a happy moment, and I have great news to share!

As you know, our beautiful city and state are generally moving on an encouraging path of reduced Covid case numbers. The time has come to consider how and when we will wind down self-isolation due to the pandemic.  Some of us have more strict safety criteria than others. However, increasing numbers of Sangha members are ready to expand their lifestyle to include small outdoor gatherings.  According to city, state and national guidelines, such gatherings are considered quite safe, and even more so for those who have been vaccinated against Covid. 

We hear quite a bit in Dharma sharing about missing in-person Sangha connections. Now the conditions are such that we can gradually restart meeting in person (for those who want to).  

Our Sangha's Care Taking Council met last weekend to consider ways of reopening. The Council has reached consensus on the following.  

From now on the Open Heart Sangha will start offering an in-person, outdoor Sangha practice gathering  twice a month, on Sundays 4-5:30 pm, starting this Sunday May 23. Please read carefully the logistics below. Meanwhile, we will continue offering two Zoom meetings a week at our usual times on Sunday and Tuesday, for the time being, for those who are not able or willing to join us in person.   

What: Sangha practice get-together. Sitting meditation, walking meditation with others in nature, movement and live singing practices (no muting required!😉). Dharma Sharing in a circle.  

When: every second and fourth Sunday of the month, beginning May 23, 4-5:30 pm.

Where: we will meet at the Mission Hills park called Pioneers Park. This is a quiet, shady park with a restroom, easy street parking and a bus stop not far away. The address is  1521 Washington Pl, San Diego, CA 92103 . We will meet next to the playground at 3:55 and then find a place to sit together. Google link is below:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/32%C2%B044'58.1%22N+117%C2%B010'37.6%22W/@32.7494681,-117.1776595,266m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!1m6!3m5!1s0x80deab27d388b37b:0xa3f3246112f33d38!2sPioneer+Park!8m2!3d32.749058!4d-117.1775418!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d32.7494674!4d-117.1771113

Safety: 1. WE ASK ANYONE EXPERIENCING COLD- or FLU-like SYMPTOMS TO STAY HOME. 2. We ask everyone to keep a safe distance from others and be responsive to others' distancing requests. Thank you for your understanding. Masks will be optional. We will keep following the developments and adjust as needed. 

Other logistics: we should be able to find a shady spot to sit on grass or ground. Please bring a comfortable chair or cushion with ground cover, and anything else you need to be comfortable outdoors. We may have several extra chairs available. 

If you have any questions, please e-mail Dmitry.

We hope to practice together in person soon!

🙏

Dmitry, on behalf of the organizing team.